Mitigation methods for Terebrasabella heterouncinata, a problematic sabellid polychaete, populations within an abalone (Haliotis midae) production system

T. heterouncinata is a sabellid polychaete endemic to South Africa and found primarily
in the shells of the abalone Haliotis midae. With the intensification of abalone
aquaculture around the world, T. heterouncinata has become a problematic pest by
causing shell deformities, reducing abalone growth rates and, in some instances, high
abalone mortalities. The problem of this sabellid was first noticed in Californian in the
early 1980’s in Red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) production facilities. Many mitigation
methods have been tested over the years and this paper investigates another two
methods; a reduction in particulate load in the tank to reduce the food source of the
sabellid which perhaps will reduce fecundity, and to use ultrasound as a possible
mitigation method. This study found that filtration and reduction in suspended particles
did not have a significant effect, but that ultrasound did have a significant effect in
reducing T. heterouncinata populations.